Another five (blurry) minutes with the Nexus One

As we continue to wait for the eventual public launch of the Nexus One, we're starting to see more and more of the infamous HTC device. After the break is a new five-minute video with the phone that is expected to be Google's second reference device (the G1 was the first).

The video is regrettably shaky and blurry, but it is another good look at the Nexus One. And we'll take all that we can get. Click on through. (Thanks, Thomas!)

Study finds smartphone users using smartphones ... smartly

In a groundbreaking study that shows exactly what we'd expect, it has been found that iPhone and Android users roughly use their phones for the same things -- mobile media (music, videos and the like), e-mail, news, networking, etc. You know -- the things smartphones were made for.

Other smartphones (we can only assume that includes RIM, Windows Mobile, Palm and Symbian) had roughly the same numbers, however. So, to recap: Smartphone owners are using their smartphones to do smartphone things. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program. [eMarketer via MocoNews]

Consumer Groups Lobby Against Google's Purchase of AdMob

If you remember, Google was supposed to have bought AdMob, the mobile advertising company, for nearly $750 million way back in November. There was a hold up, with the FTC wanting more information on the deal but Google expressed no concern over the delay, citing that there were no 'regulatory issues'. Well, it looks like a few consumer groups think differently. Consumer Watchdog and the Center for Digital Democracy have asked the FTC to block the deal on anti-trust grounds and possible privacy issues.

In their joint letter to the FTC, they claim that Google's acquisition of AdMob would lessen competition in the mobile advertising market and have a negative impact on consumers, advertisers, and developers. They also express concern about consumer privacy--AdMob and Google have access to heaps and heaps of consumer data.

Overall, it's not uncommon for consumer groups to raise complaints during antitrust reviews because well, that's when they'll be heard. So though Google should still close their deal with AdMob, it definitely will raise awareness for the consumer groups. Don't be surprised to hear anti-trust issues brought up every time Google makes a deal.

Help Rene from TiPb, HTC Sense UI, Swype, HTC Hero tips and tricks

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

Google's Chrome OS netbook specs reportedly start leaking out

We've seen early builds of Google's Chrome OS, but the really interesting aspect will be the big G's own netbook, whose design is being closely handled by Google. And the technical specs of the netbook are beginning to leak out. The following come from IBTimes [via Engadget]:

Really, aside from what sounds like a stellar screen, there's nothing too groundbreaking there yet. Except for the $300 price point, which might or might not happen. (We're not placing any bets on that one.) And the IBTimes mentions "apps" such as Google Maps, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar and voice search coming "preinstalled," which of course is more than suspect given that those are all Web services. That's probably just sloppy writing. But as all of this is still wildly unofficial, we're taking it all with a big grain of salt.

Moto Droid leads Christmas app charge

We already knew the Motorola Droid was going to be popular, thanks to those November AdMob numbers and, well, common sense. But check out these numbers from Flurry Analytics: Droid application downloads on Christmas Day -- last Friday increased 93 percent over the other three Fridays this month. And of last Friday's downloads, the Droid accounted for 49 percent of them. Of course, you're far less likely to get a G1 as a gift these days, but there's certainly no denying the Droid's popularity at this point. [via GigaOm]

Acer Aspire One D250 Android Netbook Gets Reviewed

That Android Netbook craze sure died down a bit once Chrome OS was officially unveiled, didn't it? In any case, the guys at pocket-lint have gotten their hands on one of the Android netbooks available, the Acer Aspire One D250, and gave it a full review. The Acer Aspire One D250 dual boots Windows 7 Starter Edition and yep, our very own Android OS.

It's your run of the mill netbook: 1.6 GHz Atom chip, 10.1-inch screen, tiny keyboard, and small footprint. The Windows 7 side of things performs admirably but it's the Android we're interested in, right? Well, sad to say, Android on a netbook seems to be nothing more than a gimmick. Though it boots fast (16 secs vs Windows 7's 1 minute), the performance isn't ideal. Pocket-lint termed Android on a netbook as 'stumbling', 'crude', and 'not [an addition] that is very compelling'. Hit the link for the full review.

iPhone Hands On Video -- Smartphone Round Robin

On to the next one! Week 3 of the Smartphone Round Robin is underway and we have our hands on the iPhone 3GS. Don't let the looks fool you, even though the iPhone 3GS looks exactly like the iPhone 3G, it packs some serious zip and power inside. There's also a ton of new features like video recording, a digital compass, etc and the same good stuff (web browsing, ipod) that made the iPhone such an enjoyable device since its inception.

Browser bug forces Archos to pull Android 1.6 update

Whoopsie. No sooner than did Archos post an Android 1.6 update for the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, it apparently had to yank it. As you can see in the pic above, there was "a last-minute major issue with the Web Browser." The update was to bring improved video playback, better GPS fixes and some other Donut improvements. Archos hasn't re-released the update yet, so stay tuned. [Pocketables via Slashgear]

Want to fly with an Android phone? Here's what you need to know

There's tons of FUD flying around (sorry, poor choice of words) in the aftermath of that botched terrorism attack on the Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit.

It looks like, for the most part, domestic flights -- as in starting and ending in the United States -- are unaffected, which is good news for all you folks sporting new Android phones after the holidays.

But international flights headed to the U.S. are subject to some new rules, as detailed in a Transportation Security Administration Security Directive and obtained by Gizmodo. In addition to additional screening at the point of departure:

1. Passengers must remain in seats beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.2. Passenger access to carry-on baggage is prohibited beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.3. Disable aircraft-integrated passenger communications systems and services (phone, internet access services, live television programming, global positioning systems) prior to boarding and during all phases of flight.4. While over U.S. airspace, flight crew may not make any announcement to passengers concerning flight path or position over cities or landmarks.5. Passengers may not have any blankets, pillows, or personal belongings on the lap beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.

Sorry, folks, but you'll have to put your Android phones in their full upright and locked positions for the last hour of your flight. Hopefully we'll see everything calm down soon. And if all this FUD has you freaking out a little, we'll point you to this excellent piece by fivethirtyeight.com about the odds of an incident on any given flight.

Be sure to check TSA.gov and with your airline before flying, however, as things are likely to change. (And there's more analysis on this by our Canadian pals at The iPhone Blog.)

LG LS680 Android phone shows up in Sprint's inventory system

For those of you pining for a new Android device on Sprint, you may soon get your wish. The Boy Genius Report has snagged a shot from Sprint's inventory screen that shows the LG LS680, clearly listing an Android handset. (Don't get crazy about the $1 listing, that's likely just a placeholder.)

Nexus One getting a Bluetooth dock, according to FCC filing

We joke that the Nexus One isn't official, but at this point it's unofficially official. And now we have an accessory or two to go with it. Above you see documents from the FCC (and first posted on AndroidForums) that show the Nexus One and a Bluetooth dock. Where things get really interesting is that the dock, in addition to being your standard plug-and-play accessory, also sports a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR radio. And on top of that, you see in the pictures above the dock connected to a DVD player. Does that point to using the Nexus One as a mini screen for playback? We'll have to see.

Also after the break are a couple of photos of the Nexus One in a car mount, spotted on Picassa. Not quite as high-tech, sure, but important nonetheless. [via Engadget]

Notion Ink's 'smartpad' now the 'Adam'

Remember that beautiful Android-powered Notion Ink "smartpad," which looked like it was plucked from the Garden of Eden? It apparently has an appropriate name, being dubbed the "Adam." And Notion Ink reportedly is testing 3G connectivity with U.S. and Indian carriers (and it sports AT&T's 3G bands).

And the best news? The price, which is projected at about $321, with a June launch date.

webOS Review -- Smartphone Round Robin

If you think about webOS and Android, the Pre and the Droid, and Palm and Google--there aren't too many apparent similarities. Think about it: round vs square, small vs big--it's as if they exist in two separate worlds. But you dig deeper and realize there are some similar underlying aspects. The Pre and the Droid have been easily the two most recognizable phones released this year (non-iPhone, of course) and webOS and Android are the two newest platforms that are actually changing the way we use our phones by bringing in better concepts.

Though they're both trending differently (financially, at least), there's a common will to see them both succeed. Sure it might be for different reasons--Palm, for the underdog, soft-spot-in-our-hearts aspect and Google, for the changing-the-world-we-live-in aspect, but the faith in the common smartphone user exists (okay maybe, we're reaching there).

Nonetheless, there's much to learn about the webOS platform but we'll give this away first: the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi were both splendid devices to use and webOS is such amazing execution of an amazing concept that I was thoroughly impressed with Palm's new direction and wouldn't even mind owning a Pre myself.

Now let's take a closer look at webOS from an Android perspective after the jump!

Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by the Android Open Source Project
and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 2.5 Attribution License. AndroidCentral is an independent site
that is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.